The goal of this program is to get your students to answer one question — can the reintroduction of a wetland dependent
animal, such as the trumpeter swan, increase the level of conservation both for the habitat and the
species? Of course this one question leads to a million other questions and that is the purpose of the lessons.
plans. We have tried to develop lessons based on some smaller questions that would eventually lead the student
back to the larger problem they are trying to solve. Each

Oil can be deadly for a bird. Even a tiny amount, the size of a quarter, could be enough to kill a bird. Learn how oil harms birds and what birds are most at risk. Then, take a look at how oil spills happen and just what can be done. Finally, see what you can do to help. A list of resources completes the discussion.

In this video segment from WILD TV, an ornithologist describes his job. [3:54]

The PBS video series "The Life of Birds" is accompanied with this site. There are articles about several aspects of birds and their behavior. This one chronicles the highest, fastest, and most extreme birds. There are lots of examples.

This article introduces the 17 species of penguins and shows how a study of penguin habitats and life cycles can fulfill national science content standards for K-grade 5. The author provides links to web resources and suggests books. The article appears in the free, online magazine Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears.

Learn about pesticides and their effects on birds. Take a look at pesticides and how they work. Then, investigate pesticide use in Canada and how it has affected bird populations in the country. Finally, find out how pesticides can be used more responsibly, as well as government policies that are in place regarding pesticides. A list of resources completes the discussion.

Decades of research has been dedicated to the impressive navigation skills of homing pigeons. To explain how these pigeons are able to find their way home from unfamiliar, distant sites, scientists have arrived at various theories. These include the ideas that pigeons have a "map sense" that helps them follow roads, a solar compass and/or an ability to detect and use the earth's magnetic field. In this video segment from Nature, learn how homing pigeons are used as couriers by business owner Dave Costlow. [2:34]

Get the facts about the Purple Martin. Besides finding a detailed physical description of this member of the swallow family, you?ll also learn about some its unique facts and characteristics. Also included in this Bird Fact Sheet on the Purple Martin is information on its habitat and habits, range, feeding, breeding, and conservation efforts. A list of resources completes the fact sheet.

This video segment from Nature features ravens, the most intelligent birds in the crow family. [3:00]

Get the facts about the Red-breasted Nuthatch. Besides finding a detailed physical description of this forest-found bird, you?ll also learn about some its unique facts and characteristics. Also included in this Bird Fact Sheet on the Red-breasted Nuthatch is information on its habitat and habits, range, feeding, breeding, and conservation efforts. Don?t forget to check out the video clips of this interesting bird using the links near the top of the webpage. A list of resources completes the fact sheet.

Get the facts about the Redhead. Besides finding a detailed physical description of this diving duck, you?ll also learn about some its unique facts and characteristics. Also included in this Bird Fact Sheet on the Redhead is information on its habitat and habits, range, feeding, breeding, and conservation efforts. Don?t forget to check out the sound clips of this interesting bird using the links near the top of the webpage. A list of resources completes the fact sheet.

Sure, maybe you saw Meep when you last visited the Museum, but did you know Red-tailed Hawks are migratory birds? Find out how our animal experts care for these fascinating migrators year-round at the Museum! Worksheets available for grades 1-5, 6-12, and all ages.

Through videos and cooperative learning, students investigate the respiratory system of birds, describe its function, and then compare this to the respiratory function in human mammals.

Get the facts about the Ring-billed Gull. Besides finding a detailed physical description of North America's most abundant gull, you?ll also learn about some its unique facts and characteristics. Also included in this Bird Fact Sheet on the Ring-billed Gull is information on its habitat and habits, range, feeding, breeding, and conservation efforts. A list of resources completes the fact sheet.

Learn how ravens benefit from sharing information and working together in this video segment from Nature. [3:07]

A great site to find out all about peacocks and peahens. Find a map to see where their natural home is, read about their habits, see pictures of different kinds of peafowl, and hear their call. From the San Diego Zoo.

Explore how birds use tools to hunt in this video. Watch New Caledonian crow use a stick to hunt for its food inside a log. [4:12]

Get the facts about seabirds. This group of birds makes up about three percent of the various species, even though two-thirds of the Earth is covered in water. Learn some unique facts and characteristics of seabirds. Also included in this Bird Fact Sheet on seabirds are information on their habitat and habits, range, feeding, breeding, and conservation efforts. A list of resources completes the fact sheet.

Here is the National Zoological Park right at our fingertips. Students will find many things to explore at this colorful and engaging site. Any study of animals will have a successful start here. Chances are students can catch their favorite animal on a webcam. By choosing a habitat under "Animals, etc." students can learn about the major animals found there. For instance, choose the Amazonia Habitat and learn about the mammals, birds, reptiles and fish. Each section includes beautiful pictures. This would make a great site to include in a WebQuest for information on the diverse world of animals.

In this video segment from Nature, scientific experiments test how ravens think. [2:01]